The Denver Broncos just delivered a statement win on Christmas Day, knocking off the Kansas City Chiefs 20-13 in Week 17 - and with it, they’re inching closer to a division title that’s eluded them for nearly a decade.
Let’s start with the headline: the Broncos have now won 12 of their last 13 games after a shaky 1-2 start. That’s not just a hot streak - that’s a team finding its identity and leaning into it.
And with this latest win, they’ve completed a season sweep of the Chiefs for the first time since 2014. That’s no small feat, especially considering how dominant Kansas City has been over the past several seasons.
At 13-3, Denver remains in control of the AFC West heading into the final week of the regular season. The division standings look like this:
- 1. Denver Broncos (13-3)
- 2. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) - set to face the Houston Texans in Week 17
- 3. Kansas City Chiefs (6-10)
- 4. Las Vegas Raiders (2-13) - will play the New York Giants next
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Denver can clinch the AFC West as early as Saturday - but they’ll need some help.
If the Chargers lose or even tie against the Texans, the Broncos will officially lock up the division title for the first time since 2015. That would be a major milestone for Sean Payton in his first year at the helm, and a sign that this team’s rebuild is ahead of schedule.
But if the Chargers take care of business and beat Houston, then Week 18 turns into a heavyweight bout in Denver - Broncos vs. Chargers, winner takes the division. That’s the kind of high-stakes football you live for in January.
And while the division crown is the immediate focus, Denver’s win over Kansas City also keeps the door open for something even bigger: the No. 1 seed in the AFC. It’s a long shot, but it’s on the table. For that to happen, several things need to fall into place:
- The Chargers would need to lose or tie
- The Patriots would need to lose to the Jets
- The Bills would need to lose or tie against the Eagles
- The Jaguars would need to lose or tie against the Colts
If all that chaos unfolds, Denver would claim the top seed, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. That’s the dream scenario.
But even if the chips don’t fall their way in Week 17, the Broncos are in a strong position. They’ve already proven they can beat quality opponents, they’re playing their best football at the right time, and they’ve got a shot to host a playoff game - or more - if they take care of business in Week 18.
Bottom line: Denver’s not just back in the win column. They’re back in the conversation - and possibly back on top of the AFC West.